Bedding device



Dec. 30, 1958 J. N. KALLlcK ETAL 2,866,433

BEDDING DEVICE:

Filed'oct. 11, 1955 f HyVENToR 1/225690/2 2V Mak, BYLw/Z' aren,

10%.( Wag/M i@ means shown in Figure 1;

This invention relates to improvements in bedding products such asmattresses and box springs. More particularly, the invention relates tobedding products incorporating nited drittes Patent means forlengthening their useful lives byencouraging v periodic re-positioning.f

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bedding deviceincorporating integral indicating means to show when the device was lastre-positioned or when it should next be re-positioned in order tolengthen its useful-life. .Y i

Another object of the invention is to provide a bedding device such as amattress or box spring having indicating means secured thereto forindicating when the mattress was last turned over or when the mattressor box spring was last turned end-to-end.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved combinationof a mattress, incorporating a carrying handle, with re-positioningindicating means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedmattress, incorporating a breather `or vent, with re-positioningindicating means.

` Other objects, features and advantages of the invention willV beapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sleeping device, such as a mattress,incorporating indicating meansv of two different types; u

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the indicating Figure 3 is asectional view taken along line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure ,4 is a second embodiment ofthe type of indicating means shown inFigures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the other indicating means shown inFigure l; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of Figure 6.

Experience has shown that periodic re-positioning of sleeping units,such as mattresses, is important in order to lengthen the useful livesof such units. Mattresses which are always used in the same positiongradually develop hollows in the regions of heaviest bodily `contact bythe user. In addition, they tend to develop a sagging in the centralportion. The gradual breaking down occurs as thevresult of the constantapplication of undue pressures in the same regions causing packing ofthe mattress padding and permanent set in the springs.

In recent years medical research has shown that it is important tomaintain the body of the sleeper in as level a position as possible.Particularly, it is important that the spine of the sleeper `bemaintained in a substantially straight line. After constant use of amattress without re-positioning, the resulting hollows and saggingdestroy the capacity of the mattress to maintain the sleeper level.

In order to prevent premature break down of the mattress so that itshealthful sleeping qualities be maintained as long as possible, it isdesirable to turn the mattress over periodically, for example, everymonth or two, and to turn the mattress end-to-end periodically, forexample, every month or two alternately with turn-over re-positioning.Box springs which form foundations for mattresses are not ordinarilyturned over, but it is beneficial to turn the springs end-to-endperiodically, for example, every three months. A

Heretofore, the Amattress user has ordinarily relied upon memory to tellhim when he last re-positioned his mattress. This practice results inirregular re-positioning, if any, and consequently the useful life ofthe mattress is seriously shortened. t t, t

A few mattress users have relied on written records as 'reminders of thenecessity for mattress repositioning.

While the keeping of recordsl is ordinarily better than relying uponmemory, this system is not desirable because the records are subject tobeing misplaced. y Furthermore such records are not kept adjacent themattress'in a position to remind vthe user so that they are inherentlyunsatisfactory. v Y l The present invention provides a signiicantadvancejin the sleeping unit art by combining with a mattress or othersleeping unit indicating means to show when the mattress was lastre-positioned Aor when it should be next re-posirtioned. While theordinary mattress user cannot be expected to understand the innerconstruction of a mattress, he can understand an indicator atiixed tothe mattress which shows clearly the need and ,the time for periodicre-positioning. t

Figure l, the Amattress includes two parallel sleeping surfaces 11, twoparallel end walls 12, and two parallel side walls 14, one of each beingshown. VThe ticking 10a forming the sleeping surfaces 11 and the walls12 and 14.

isvpreferably of fabric or ilexible plastic. i

For lifting the mattress 10 a pair of carrying handles 15 are providedat each of the side walls 14 and are disposed in substantially spacedrelation as shown; The handles 15 may be formed of heavy cord with eachof lthe cord ends (not shown) extending through the side walls 14 andbeing anchored in the mattress body in any suitable manner (not shown).The handles ordinarily lie ilat against the side walls 14 but areconnected with suiicient elasticity to allow. the user to pull them awayfrom the side walls a sufficient amount to allow them to be easilygrasped. The handles can be used for turning the mattress over an forshifting it end-to-end.

For venting the interior of the mattress 10 and for allowing it tobreathe upon the application of or release of pressure on the topsurface, a plurality of vents or breathing apertures 16 are provided.

According to the present invention, the mattress 1l) is provided with acalendar indicator 17 or a calendar indicator 18, or both. Oneof thesecalendar indicators may be utilized to indicate when the mattress waslast turned, or when it should be turned again, and the other calendarindicator can be utilized to indicate when the mattress was last turnedend-to-end, or when it should be again turned end-to-end.

The calendar indicator 17 is illustrated in detail in Figures 2 and 3. Agraduated plate or dial 13 of elongated -planform is secured to the sidewall 14 of Ithe mattress adjacent one of the handles 15. -The plate maybe formed of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, fabric, orthe like. A portion of the plate 18 lies be.- tween the handle 15 andthe-side wall, and the ends of the handle pass through apertures 19formed in the oppositeend portions of the plate. Graduations 20 areprintedlor otherwise formed on the plate and represent periodic timeperiods such as the twelve months ofthe year. The handle 15' retains..or assistsr in retaining the the form of a slotted plate.

3 plate 18 in position and the extent of the handle determines thepositioning of the graduations. A longitudinal slot 21 1s formed in theplate 18 generally parallel to .the handle 1,5and `an index or pointer22 is slidably disposed in the slotand is adapted for being selectivelypositioned opposte the various graduations 20. For ease o f positioning,the slot21is provided with 4enlarged portions orlnotches 24 `oppositeeach of the graduations, In addition to the graduations 20, the plate1,8 may contain other printed matter (not shown) yin `the nature of anexplanation of the function of theindicator.

The index `22 is formed `as a spring pressed detent and `may include `avisible marker 25 and an attachment pin 26. rIfhe shank end of the pin26 is ixedly secured to the `marker 25 in any suitable manner, and theshank extends through the slot 21 and Ais provided with a head 27 latits opposite end. A light `compression spring 28 1s disposed'on the pinshank and acts between the head 27 and a washer 29 so that the marker 25is resiliently held against `the plate 18 in any selected position alongthe slt 21.

The operation `of the indicator is very simple, involving `manipulationof Athe index 22 to any selected position to `indicate the time of last`re-positioning of the mattress or `the time `of next repositioning ofthe mattress. `,Of course, the indicator may be used for turn-overiindica- Ation or for end-,to-end turning indication.

A revised form of the type of indicator shown 'in Figures 2 and 3 isillustrated in detail in Figures 4 and 5 where the revised indicator isgenerally designated by the .reference numeral 17a. In this form, aplate or dial 18a is provided with calendar graduations 20a, much Athesame as -the plate 18. The graduated plate ,18a may `be formed of metal,plastic, fabric or any other suitable material, and is secured to theside wall 14 of the mattress inthe same position as the plate 18, partlyunder and generally co-extensivc with the mattress handle 15. An `index22a is provided in the form of a ring which is slidably disposed aboutthe handle 15. The index ring 22a is formed of metal, plastic, cord, orthe like and is sufficiently tight about the handle to insure itsremaining in any selected position adjacent the various graduations 20a.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5, the handleof the mattress may serve to retain the graduated plate against themattress and serves as the indexing guide or criterion of the indicatoras .does the handle in the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3. However, inthe second embodiment the handle performs an additional function as theslide or track on which the index ring 22a moves,

The form of indicator designated by the reference numeral 18 isillustrated in detail in Figures 6 and 7.

'This embodiment of the invention is of circular planform and comprisesa graduated plate or dial 30 secured to the side wall 14 of the mattressand an index 31 in The plates 30 and 31 may be of the same size asshown. Both may be formed of metal, plastic or the like, but if desired,the dial 30 may be of flexible material such as fabric.

The index 31 overlies the dial 30 and is rotatably held thereagainst bymeans of a grommet 32 which is secured in a circular aperture 34 formedin the side wall 14 of the mattress ,10. A screen or mesh member 35 issecured within the grommet 32 and covers the aperture 34. The grommet 32and the mesh or screen 35 form the mattress breathers or vents 16.

In order to provide means for indicating the time of last re-positioningor the time for next re-positioning of the mattress, the dial 30 isprovided with graduations 36 printed or otherwise formed at spacedradial positions about the dial, and a slot or window 37 is formed inthe index plate 31 and is adapted to expose the graduations 36, one at atime. The index 31 can be rotated to expose any selected one of thegraduations 36 to indiate when the mattress was last turned or when itshould be next turned. The index plate 31 is opaque or substantiallyopaque so that the covered graduations do not show through, and theplate may bear printed material in the form of instructions or the like.

In the various formsof the invention described above, advantage is takenof conventional accessories of the mattress for attaching theindicators. This feature is desirable if possible since it simplifiesthe construction and attachment of the indicators and utilizes `existingfocal points.

It is, `of course, possible to attach the indicator apart from Lthe-mattress handles 15 or the mattress breathers `or vents 16. AIn thecase of the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5` this would necessitateutilization of an auxiliary guide o1- track in place ofthe `handle 15.

It is readily apparent from the foregoing description that the presentinvention provides an improved combination of a sleeping unit withindicating means to insure periodic re-positioning of the sleeping unitin order to lengthen its useful life. One or two of the indicators ofthe same or different types may be used on various -sleeping units `toindicate the date of last tum-over or the date of next turn-over of thesleeping unit and/or the date of last end-to-end turning or the date ofnext endto-endturning of the sleeping unit. It is, of course, essentialthat the indicator be secured to the mattress in order that it providean infallible means of indicating the need for re-positioning. Animportant feature of the invention is the utilization of existingmattress accessories to act as attachment means and as focal points forthe indicating means.

Modications and variation may be effected without departing from thescope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim:

l. A bedding unit comprising a body portion adapted to support a humanbeing in reclining position, an elongated carrying handle secured tosaid body portion, a dial having a plurality of graduations thereonsecured to said body portion adjacent said handle with the graduationsdisposed in spaced relation lengthwise relative to said handle, and anindex movably associated with said dial and adapted for manipulationlengthwise with respect to said handle for being selectively positionedwith respect to said graduations.

2. A bedding unit comprising a body portion adapted to support a humanbeing in reclining position, an elongated carrying handle secured tosaid body portion, a dial having a plurality of graduations thereon andsecured to said body portion adjacent said handle with the graduationsdisposed in spaced relation lengthwise relative to said handle, and anindex movably secured to said handle `and adapted for manipulationlengthwise on said handle for being selectively positioned in aplurality of indicating positions with respect to the graduations onsaid dial.

3. An improved bedding unit comprising a body portion adapted to supporta human being in reclining position,` an elongated carrying handlesecured to said body portion, an elongated dial secured to said bodyportion by means of said handle and disposed susbtantially coextensivelywith said handle, said dial having a plurality of graduationslongitudinally spaced thereon within the longitudinal extent of saidhandle, and a ring member slidably disposed on said handle and adaptedfor being frictionally retained in any selected position thereon to actas an index with respect to said graduations.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,343,598 Unsworth June 15, 1920 1,880,089 Heidecorn sept. 27, 19322,122,855 Bombard et al. July 5, 1938

